Twelve class IV-IX children were adjudged Student Icons of India at the national finals of iKen Scientifica 2011-12, organised by Mexus Education in Mumbai between Feb-April. They will represent India at the international finale where they will compete with students from ten participating countries. Based on the premise that “every child is a born genius”, iKen Scientifica is a unique competition which provides class IV-IX students a platform to showcase their innovative ideas and projects based on scientific theory and concepts through hands-on learning techniques. Designed to nurture “scientific approaches to life”, iKen Scientifica offers Indian youth a platform to ideate, innovate and compete globally. The annual national competition is designed to provide an alternative learning environment which stimulates students to develop scientific tempers and mindsets. iKen Scientifica comprises four rounds: city, state and national levels followed by the international finale. “It offers a complete curriculum on design and technology — a curriculum designed to stimulate youth to approach problems with creative, inventive bents of mind, a conspicuous lacuna in school and college education,” says Saurabh Saxena, director, Mexus Education. Nrityanjali Dance Festival As a prelude to the golden jubilee celebrations of Nrityanjali, a Mumbai-based institute of performing arts, education, personality development and management services, a ‘Dance Festival (Season 2)’ was organised on June 30 at Kalidas Natyamandir (Mulund, West). The . The competition attracted the participation of dance institutions from across India. Classical dance, Western dance and Bollywood were the major categories with each category featuring the following age groups – below 12, 12-15 and above 15 years. Well-known music and dance exponents Shrikala Hattangady (kathak dancer and producer at Doordarshan, Mumbai) and Debi Bsu (Odissi dancer and disciple of Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra) judged the competition which commenced with a dance performance by Nrityanjali students, followed by an audio-visual showcasing the extensive work done by the institute in the field of performing arts. The winners of Dance Festival Season 2 are Pavis, Domvili; SPIPA, Thakurli; Ntrityali, Nashik; Takshashila, Thane; Flawless, Thakurli; Shivoham, Juhu and Soundarya, Ghatkopar, and Dancing Stars Academy. The event was supported by Marico (I) Limited, RR Kabel, Children’s Academy, Kamla Global Academics, and Pragnya Bodhini School. EducationWorld and IBN-Lokmat were the media partners. Promoted by Dr. Tushar Guha, a well-known personality development guru, music composer and director, Nrityanjali offers music, dance, drama and personality development programmes. Dr. Guha has also developed innovative performing arts based pedagogies for improving teaching-learning in schools. Ryan International’s awards shower The excellence award of the National Education & Human Resource Development Organisation was presented to Mme. Grace Pinto, managing director of the Ryan International Group of Institutions (RIGI), at its 16th seminar on ‘National economic growth through individual contribution’ staged in Mumbai on June 20. Moreover on the same occasion, RIGI was conferred the Quality Brands India 2012-2014 award for excellence in education by Quality Brands Times. Meanwhile a team of three students — Akhil Puri (class XI), Sahil Shrivastav (IX) and Neharika Rastogi (X) — of the Ryan International…
